It is almost impossible to talk about Madrid, the Spanish capital, which, in addition to its obvious tourist appeal and its leadership as the most visited city in the country—followed by Barcelona—is inseparable from its long history and evolution up to the present day. In 2024, Madrid welcomed over 11.2 million visitors, accounting for approximately 11.9% of the total tourists who came to Spain that year. Much of the city's identity, the uniqueness of each of its neighborhoods, and the new areas developed over the years are deeply linked to growth that, although planned and modernized in many aspects, has managed to preserve the diverse character that defines its urban essence.
Madrid was officially established as the capital when King Philip II moved the Court to the city in 1561, though historical evidence shows that the first settlements date back to around 865, on the banks of the Manzanares River, when Emir Muhammad I built a fortress where the Royal Palace now stands. Over the centuries, various monarchs, changes in rule, and occupations of the town (as the city of Madrid was once known) began to shape the city, which, due to its geographical centrality, was chosen to become the capital of a great empire, initiating a transformation that continues today.
